American Pit Bull Registry is everything Pit Bull - Service, therapy, rescue and other types of working activities for Pit Bulls

Pit Bull uses in Therapy, Service and other Assistance Work

For hundreds of years the Pit Bull dog has been bred to have a human friendly disposition and an overwhelming sense of need to please their owners. Dogs of all breeds have been man's assistants since the beginning of time. Given the natural skill set the Pit Bull has in various areas of service work this gives them an excellent opportunity to provide valuable and needed services in our community as well as debunk many of the common myths associated with the breed.

Pit Bulls are currently used and suitable for all types of service work including drug detection, emergency rescue, service and therapy work, military service, and much more.

Pound for pound the American Pit Bull Terrier ( APBT ) is the strongest breed in existence and has a tenacity to meet its objectives as no other. Because the Pit Bull puts its own interest second to that of its owners the chances of it achieving a task are greater than that of other breeds.

The American Pit Bull Terrier ( APBT ) is additionally one of the most intelligent and easy to train breed of dogs. The trainer of the show dog Lassie has even remarked on how the Pit Bull is his choice of breed for training. This is due to the Pit Bulls ease of training, focus on task, desire to please their owner, and don't give up attitude.

Because the Pit Bull has such strength, intelligence, desire to please, and a don't give up attitude it would make a good choice as a disabled assistant service dog to those who are facing issues of mobility, visual and hearing impairments.

Pit Bulls are widely discriminated against and many organizations will not consider them for service or therapy work.

We are looking at developing a course of study and recruiting a base of volunteers ( especially those with handling and / or training experience ) to assist us in becoming the first organization that certifies the American Pit Bull Terrier for service and therapy work. Check out the video. This is Camo who is our first full "Service Dog (Pit Bull)" in training. Camo's is being chronicled here so feel free to visit her page and keep up with the progress. On her page we have even more wonderful videos and pictures.

This video is of Camo getting acquainted with her new foster/training home and mirrors. If you have a Youtube account you are welcome to subscribe to our video feeds and leave comments on ours. If you wish to follow along with your Pit Bull and would like to send us videos of their training progress we welcome this as well for potential inclusion in a new video library we are currently working on developing.

The American Pit Bull Registry ( APBR ) is additionally looking for individuals who think they could benefit from such assistance and are willing to give the Pit Bull dog breed a chance.

The APBR believes that by showing good ambassadors of the breed that it can provide positive contributions to society and thus aid greatly to reducing the Pit Bull's negative stereotype many have in the general community.

It is our opinion that Pit Bulls that are used for such work could not be banned in areas subject to Breed Specific Legislation ( BSL ) and that by having such representatives in areas where Breed Specific Legislation ( BSL ) exists that we can help to counteract the ignorance of such localities and work to dismantle these discriminatory laws.

If you would like to take part either as a volunteer in this program or to receive assistance please send us a letter explaining your capacity to help or your area of need and we will be happy to work with you.

Our mailing address is:

American Pit Bull Registry ( APBR )

PO Box 1036

Antioch TN, 37011

United States of America

Care of: Service Pit Program

If you are a disabled individual and are being affected by Breed Specific Legislation you may apply for legal aid using the following: Legal Aid Request Form.

To learn more about service dog organizations please see the list of Service Dog providers and resources below.

To learn more about the rights of individuals and their choice of therapy pet assistance animals you may review the following information provided by the US Department of Justice.

U.S. Department of Justice

Americans with Disabilities Act

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT

SERVICE ANIMALS IN PLACES OF BUSINESS

1. Q: What are the laws that apply to my business?

A: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), privately owned businesses that serve the public, such as restaurants, hotels, retail stores, taxicabs, theaters, concert halls, and sports facilities, are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires these businesses to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed.

2. Q: What is a service animal?

A: The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.

Service animals perform some of the functions and tasks that the individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself. "Seeing eye dogs" are one type of service animal, used by some individuals who are blind. This is the type of service animal with which most people are familiar. But there are service animals that assist persons with other kinds of disabilities in their day-to-day activities. Some examples include:

_ Alerting persons with hearing impairments to sounds.

_ Pulling wheelchairs or carrying and picking up things for persons with mobility impairments.

_ Assisting persons with mobility impairments with balance.

A service animal is not a pet.

3. Q: How can I tell if an animal is really a service animal and not just a pet?

A: Some, but not all, service animals wear special collars and harnesses. Some, but not all, are licensed or certified and have identification papers. If you are not certain that an animal is a service animal, you may ask the person who has the animal if it is a service animal required because of a disability. However, an individual who is going to a restaurant or theater is not likely to be carrying documentation of his or her medical condition or disability. Therefore, such documentation generally may not be required as a condition for providing service to an individual accompanied by a service animal. Although a number of states have programs to certify service animals, you may not insist on proof of state certification before permitting the service animal to accompany the person with a disability.

4. Q: What must I do when an individual with a service animal comes to my business?

A: The service animal must be permitted to accompany the individual with a disability to all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. An individual with a service animal may not be segregated from other customers.

5. Q: I have always had a clearly posted "no pets" policy at my establishment. Do I still have to allow service animals in?

A: Yes. A service animal is not a pet. The ADA requires you to modify your "no pets" policy to allow the use of a service animal by a person with a disability. This does not mean you must abandon your "no pets" policy altogether but simply that you must make an exception to your general rule for service animals.

6. Q: My county health department has told me that only a seeing eye or guide dog has to be admitted. If I follow those regulations, am I violating the ADA?

A: Yes, if you refuse to admit any other type of service animal on the basis of local health department regulations or other state or local laws. The ADA provides greater protection for individuals with disabilities and so it takes priority over the local or state laws or regulations.

7. Q: Can I charge a maintenance or cleaning fee for customers who bring service animals into my business?

A: No. Neither a deposit nor a surcharge may be imposed on an individual with a disability as a condition to allowing a service animal to accompany the individual with a disability, even if deposits are routinely required for pets. However, a public accommodation may charge its customers with disabilities if a service animal causes damage so long as it is the regular practice of the entity to charge non-disabled customers for the same types of damages. For example, a hotel can charge a guest with a disability for the cost of repairing or cleaning furniture damaged by a service animal if it is the hotel's policy to charge when non-disabled guests cause such damage.

8. Q: I operate a private taxicab and I don't want animals in my taxi; they smell, shed hair and sometimes have "accidents." Am I violating the ADA if I refuse to pick up someone with a service animal?

A: Yes. Taxicab companies may not refuse to provide services to individuals with disabilities. Private taxicab companies are also prohibited from charging higher fares or fees for transporting individuals with disabilities and their service animals than they charge to other persons for the same or equivalent service.

9. Q: Am I responsible for the animal while the person with a disability is in my business?

A: No. The care or supervision of a service animal is solely the responsibility of his or her owner. You are not required to provide care or food or a special location for the animal.

10. Q: What if a service animal barks or growls at other people, or otherwise acts out of control?

A: You may exclude any animal, including a service animal, from your facility when that animal's behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. For example, any service animal that displays vicious behavior towards other guests or customers may be excluded. You may not make assumptions, however, about how a particular animal is likely to behave based on your past experience with other animals. Each situation must be considered individually.

Although a public accommodation may exclude any service animal that is out of control, it should give the individual with a disability who uses the service animal the option of continuing to enjoy its goods and services without having the service animal on the premises.

11. Q: Can I exclude an animal that doesn't really seem dangerous but is disruptive to my business?

A: There may be a few circumstances when a public accommodation is not required to accommodate a service animal--that is, when doing so would result in a fundamental alteration to the nature of the business. Generally, this is not likely to occur in restaurants, hotels, retail stores, theaters, concert halls, and sports facilities. But when it does, for example, when a dog barks during a movie, the animal can be excluded.

If you have further questions about service animals or other requirements of the ADA, you may call the U.S. Department of Justice's toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TDD).

DUPLICATION OF THIS DOCUMENT IS ENCOURAGED.

7/96

Donate to Stop Breed Specific Legislation ( BSL )

All donations above $12 will receive a free 24 X 18 Help Stop BSL poster to show your support of the cause. Funds go to support aiding disabled individuals legal battles which may ensue as a result of their ownership of a discriminated against breed.

NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL Service and Therapy Pet ORGANIZATIONS

USA Australia Canada United Kingdom

Good links for additional research:

This are some of the most informative sites I have found in regards to Service and Therapy Animals. On these sites you can locate hard to find state codes, training information, and many additional resources. Please visit:

http://sdog.danawheels.net/

http://therapydogs.com/

http://www.cofc.edu/~huntc/service.html

USA National Organizations

"Create-A-Smile" Animal-Assisted-Therapy Team
237 Hill Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 392-6257 Phone
(310) 392-6207 Fax
e-mail: k9lovr@hotmail.com

We service over 85 facilities in S. CA and about 100 worldwide. We offer free AAT services to facilities, certification for volunteers and health-care professionals, crisis intervention, facility staff training, therapeutic riding, service dog training, and resident therapy dogs.

Delta Society Pet Partners Programs
289 Perimeter Rd. East
Renton, WA. 98055
e-mail: info@deltasociety.org

People have long been intrigued by the complex emotional relationships between people and animals. Today, an impressive number of studies demonstrates the incredible benefits that result from these special relationships. Delta is a human service organization that transforms this growing body of scientific information into practical applications for everyday life. Delta's mission is to promote animals helping people improve their health, independence and quality of life.

Therapy Dogs Incorporated
P.O. Box 5868
Cheyenne, Wy 82003
(877) 843-7364 (877-therdog)

Therapy Dogs International, Inc.
88 Bartley Road
Flanders, NJ 07836
(973) 252-9800 (Voice) (973) 252-7171 (Fax) e-mail to Therapy Dogs Internationaltdi@gti.net

The Foundation for Pet Provided Therapy, Inc. (aka Love on a Leash)
P.O. Box 6308
Oceanside, CA 92058
(760) 740-2326
info@fppt.org

Love on a Leash is a nonprofit public charity. It provides guidelines for the screening, selection and training of potential therapy dogs, certification of trained dogs participating in its program, continuing education of therapy dog handlers, and education to health care/recreation professionals as to the value of therapy dogs. large chapters everywhere from St. Louis to Oshkosh to Ventura. Call or e-mail for local chapters.

Alpha Affiliates, Inc.
PO Box 176
Mendham, NJ 07945 0176
Telephone (973) 539-2770
Fax (973) 644-0610
E Mail AlphaAffiliates@webtv.net

Alpha was founded in 1987 as a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits between people and animals through education. Their entire staff is volunteer and as an organization has been designated by the IRS 501 (c) (3) Resources include videos, printed material from their seminars, advance directive for pet care, etc. One of the videos I reviewed was very nicely done showing a typical visit and demonstrating visit etiquette and safety. I liked it because it looked and sounded exactly like the visits I do. Membership includes their quarterly publication Alpha Bits.

Therapet Animal Assisted Therapy Foundation
P.O. Box 1696
Whitehouse, Texas 75791
Shari Bernard OTR
Therapet@Juno.com

Therapet Animal Assisted Therapy Foundation is dedicated to the advancement of AAT/AAA. Through publications, seminars, and professionally developed videos, we assist volunteers and health care professionals in developing and managing programs. Shari Bernard OTR is a leader in the field, and the executive director of Therapet. She uses specially trained and certified animals as tools in the treatment of patients. Her program provides animals that are used daily in a rehabilitation hospital. In addition, she has developed a program that provides animals in an acute care hospital for use in the pediatric, geriatric, oncology unit, and the open heart recovery unit, and both ICU and CCU. Lastly, she developed and currently runs a program for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice where her volunteers and animals work with psychiatric inmates as part of Occupational Therapy. Shari has authored "Animal Assisted Therapy: A Guide for Health Care Professionals and Volunteers". She has also provided 17 national two-day seminars on this topic with 4 more planned this year.

Therapet is dedicate to the advancement of this growing field. A variety of medical professionals are available to answer questions including physicians, therapists, and critical care nurses. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc.
80 Powder Mill Road
Morris Plains, New Jersey
(888) 738-5770
Contact: June Golden
e-mail: info@golden-dogs.org

The Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. is a nonprofit organization which evaluates, tests, trains, qualifies and supports therapy dogs for the purpose of giving loving and empathic support in nursing homes, hospitals, psychiatric wards and other facilities where emotional service dogs are indispensable.

We have programs and evaluators in Idaho, Texas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We have evaluators in Ohio, Colorado, Arkansas, Michigan, and Florida. We also have long distance qualification.

USA LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS:

Alabama Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Hawaii Illinois Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Wisconsin

Return to National List to contact National organizations about local chapters.

ALABAMA

Hand-in-Paw, Inc.
5342 Oporto Madrid Blvd. So
Birmingham, AL 35210
(205) 591-7006
email handinpawinc@aol.com

Hand-in-Paw, founded in 1996, is a Delta Society affiliate providing animal assisted activities and therapy primarily to children and youth in social, medical and educational settings.

ARIZONA

Companion Animal Association of Arizona
Box 5006
Scottsdale, AZ 85261-5006
(602) 258-3306

Pets on Wheels of Scottsdale
7375 E. 2nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 488-2002 or voice mail (602) 735-6886
Contact: Neal C. Jennings
E-mail: petsonwheels@aol.com

This site provides information on the benefits of pet-visitation therapy, visiting with a structured group, guidelines for volunteers, stories of special pet visits, a dog's view of visiting, and information on starting pet-visitation program.

Pet VIP
The Humane Society of Southern Arizona
3450 N. Kelvin Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 321-3704 X 176
Contact: JoAnn Spencer
email jspencer@humane-so-arizona.org

We are a group of over 100 teams visiting in the Tucson area. We visit nursing homes, hospitals, hospices, correctional units and many more. We are using the Delta Society's program of Pet Partners. I am also a licensed Delta evaluator. We would love to have you join our teams.

Gabriel's Angels
7225 West Oakland
Chandler, AZ 85226
480-460-5333
e-mail: info@petshelpingkids.com

Gabriel's Angels is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization providing animal assisted activities and therapy to abused and at-risk children residing in area shelters.

CALIFORNIA

Latham Foundation
Latham Plaza Bldg.
Clement & Shiller Streets
Alameda, California 94501
e-mail to Latham Foundation: info@latham.org
(510) 521-0920

Latham Foundation does not actually do visits but they are a wonderful source of information and support. If you are interested in starting your own program this is a good place to start. Latham Foundation publishes a newsletter which is useful for keeping in touch with new ideas, sound visiting practices, legislation, seminars and more.

Friendship Foundation
P.O. Box 6525
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 528-9104
contact person: Elizabeth Soares

Friendship Foundation volunteers and their pets visit various health care facilities to enrich the lives of children and adults. A designated liaison arranges and attends all visits. Pets are required to undergo complete health exams and temperament testing.

Humane Society of Sonoma County
Pet Assisted Therapy
P.O. Box 1296
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
707 542-0882 Ext. 283

Marin Humane Society
171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd.
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 883-4621 (Voice) (415) 382-1349 (Fax)
E-mail: SHARE@marinhumanesociety.org

The Marin Humane Society visits convalescent centers and schools for the disabled. In 1987, the SHARE Program expanded its animal assisted therapy to help seniors, disabled and people with AIDS who still live at home with their animal companions.

S*M*A*R*T* Dogs, Inc.
8019 Bristol Road
Dublin, CA 94586-1642
Contact: Carolyn Day
e-mail to cday25@aol.com

Paws For Healing
1370 Trancas St
PMB 127
Napa, CA 94558
Contact: Joanne Yates
(707) 258-3846
email: info@pawsforhealing.org

It is a non-profit organization in Napa County, California that goes to local hospitals with dogs for patients. Also covers Sonoma, Solano and Marin counties. Visits both educational and health care settings.

TherapyPets
P.O. Box 32288
Oakland, California 94604
(510) 287-9042 (voice)
(510) 893-0337 (fax)
E-mail to:gabbro@ well.com
Leal Charonnat, Presdent

When last visited this web site did not provide full access. TherapyPets is a California non-profit public benefit corporation with Federal 501(c)3 tax deductible status. We are an all-volunteer organization. TherapyPets is not associated with any other organization. Therapy Pets serves Northern California, from Monterey/Santa Cruz to Napa/Sonoma areas.

Loving Animals Providing Smiles
c/o Marilane Bergfelt
3366 Twin Oaks Drive
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 253-8585
emaill to :LAPS_AAT@msn.com

Loving Animals Providing Smiles (LAPS) welcomes all types of domestic pets and their handlers into therapy work via registration with the Delta Society / Pet Partner's Program. We focus on creating therapy programs where multiple teams work together to help the elderly, children with special needs and troubled juveniles in the Napa Valley.

San Francisco SPCA
2500 16th Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 554-3000
E-mail to public_info@sfspca.org

PAWS - Pets are Wonderful Support
P.O. Box 460489
San Francisco, CA 94146-0489
(415) 824-4040

Furry Friends Foundation
Pet Assisted Therapy Services
P.O. Box 90550, San Jose, CA 95109
e-mail to PATS: info@furryfriends.org
(408) 280-6171

Ohlone Humane Society "Hug a Pet"
PMB #108, 39120 Argonaut Way
Fremont, CA 94538-1304 (510) 792-4587
E-Mail Ohlonehumane@aol.com

Assistance Dog Institute
PO Box 2334
Rohnert Park, CA 94927
Founder: Bonita M. Bergin, Ed.D. (707) 585-0300
email to assistdog@ aol.com

The Assistance Dog nstitute is a preeminent research and development organization in the assistance dog field. It maintains an active program in social/therapy dog research, gathering data on the effects of canine interaction with emotionally disturbed children in special day treatment environments, with clinically depressed adults in group out-patient therapy, and with severely disabled children and young people in special education classrooms, to name just a few.

Lend A Heart Animal-Assisted Therapy, Inc.
P.O. Box 60617
Sacramento, CA 95860
(916) 331-5000
contact person: Jennifer R. Akins
e-mail: info@lendaheart.org

Lend A Heart Animal-Assisted Therapy, Inc. was founded in 1987 and is a nonprofit, charitable organization. Based in Sacramento, California our volunteers work throughout this area at selected facilities. We work extensively with the elderly, children-at-risk in public schools, patients in a mental health facility and at rehabilitation centers.

Lend A Heart is always looking for committed individuals with trained, socialized pets to further our community work. We test, train and certify handler/animal teams, and expect a year-round, ongoing commitment to our clients.

Pet Pals
part of High Desert Obedience Club, Inc.
PO Box 2901
Lancaster, CA 93539
(661) 266-7097
e-mail to hidoc@hotmail.com

An active AAA/AAT group in the Antelope Valley. Group coordinator is a tester/observer with Therapy Dogs Incorporated. All participating dogs are registered with TDInc.

Orange County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support)
8855 Atlanta, #164
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
714-596-7387
Elaine Lintner, Director
e-mail to:ocspca@surfside.net
www.orangecountyspca.org

PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) is a pet assisted therapy program sponsored by the Orange County SPCA. Volunteer/pet teams visit nursing homes, hospitals, senior day care centers, rehab facilities and children's homes. Prior to enrollment in the program volunteers must attend three orientation sessions: classroom; site visit; and pet evaluation.

Paws and Hearts
74-854 Velie Way, Suite 7
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Phone: 760-836-1406
Fax: 760-836-1426
email: pawsandhearts@aol.com

Headed by "Lucky" and Richard Waxman, we are a group of dedicated volunteers whose sole purpose is to take our well-behaved dogs into convalescent homes, senior centers, day care centers, Alzheimer's facilities, children's hospitals and facilities -- anywhere someone might benefit from a loving visit. We are proud to say that every day of the week, we have volunteers and their dogs out visiting. If you live in the Coachella Valley/Palm Springs area and would like to volunteer with your dog, please contact us.

COLORADO

HSBV DeTails: Lending a Helping Paw
The Humane Society of Boulder Valley
2323 55th Street
Boulder, CO
(303) 442-4030

ANGEL Pups
Delta County, Colorado
(970) 874-0111
Contact: Brenda Worrell, President
email mnbworrell@webtv.net

Currently 20+ members, some have more than one dog working on certification. Also, reaching out to high school/middle school students to participate.

CONNECTICUT

Tails of Joy Animal Assisted Therapy Group
Marie Joyner
113 Carion Rd
Union, CT 06076

Tails of Joy has 36 certified dogs and 28 certified handlers. We have scheduled visits with 5 nursing homes, one of which is one-on-one work with the physical therapist. We also do presentations at schools, libraries, senior centers, etc. We have all of the tools in place to give the potential member the proper skills to qualify.

FLORIDA

Orlando Humane Society Pet Assisted Therapy
Jake White, Director of Community Affairs
(407) 351-7722 ext. 230

The ComForT Program (Companions For Therapy)
c/o the Area Agency on Aging
2639 North Monroe Street
Suite 145B
Tallahassee, FL 32303
Email: comfortpet@elderaffairs.org
Contact: ComForT Program Coordinator
(850) 488-0055

We are a volunteer animal visitation group serving over 20 facilities in Leon County. Our main focus is animal assisted activities and animal assisted therapy work mostly among the aging population. We also visit physically, mentally and developmentally disabled individuals. 2003 marks our 18th year as a volunteer service organization. All of our members are registered with Delta Society and follow Delta Society's policies and procedures.

Sunshine on a Leash
21 Palm Road
Sewalls Point, FL 34996
(772) 287-7711 or (561) 745-8935
Email: kjfrick@adelphia.net or mohara@aol.com

This program offers many rewards to all concerned. The volunteer will be spending a greater amount of quality time with their pet and also will be interacting with the cliental of nursing homes, shelters, treatment centers and schools. As a team, volunteers have a positive effect on people they encounter including staff and caregivers. Our volunteers are trained under the guidelines and certification of the Delta Society. Our goal is to enhance the lives of a variety of populations and ages by providing animal assisted activities and therapy. We offer continuous training and skill building.

Space Coast Therapy Dogs
President: Louise Curry
1255 Leslie Dr.
Merritt Island, FL 32952
(321) 453-4162

We are located on the east coast of Florida, near the Kennedy Space Center and our organization has over ninety members with over one hundred registered therapy dogs. We currently visit twenty-two facilities a month, including area hospitals, schools, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehab centers and a cancer care facility. We have six tester/observers, approved by Therapy Dogs, Inc. to test, observe and certify dog/handler teams. To learn more about our organization and see some of our wonderful dogs, please visit our website.

Hug A Pet of Pasco County
Linda Gray
(727) 868-7057
e-mailShihtzu3@rrr-enterprises.com

GEORGIA

Dreamworkers, Inc.
4704 Brownsville Road
Powder Springs, Ga 30127
Email: dreamworkers@dog.com

Dreamworkers, Inc. is a non-profit (501 c3) group of very dedicated individuals who volunteer their two most important assets, their time and pets, to bring joy and happiness to hospitalized, shut in, or disabled individuals through the use of Therapy Animals.

Happy Tails Pet Therapy, Inc.
P.O. Box 767961
Roswell, GA 30076
770-740-8211
Administrative Contact: info@happytailspets.org

Happy Tails Pet Therapy, Inc. was incorporated in 1991 with a 501c3 status. Its mission is to provide professional and experienced pet assisted therapy and activities to facilities in the Metro Atlanta area. It is the oldest and the largest organization in Atlanta with over 450 volunteers serving 150+ client facilities.

Canine Outreach, Inc.
P.O. Box 5478
Peachtree City, GA 30269
(770) 486-1667 Phone
(770) 486-1667 Fax
email: annewhudson@worldnet.att.net

Canine Outreach, Incorporated is organized exclusively for the charitable, scientific, and educational purpose of providing, through its members, well-trained, affectionate, and obedient dogs for therapeutic contacts with the elderly, the disabled, and the young in hospitals, homes, nursing facilities, schools, and pre-schools or other locations.

Hawaii

Therapaws of Hawaii, dba Pa'ani Na Keiki
1198 Ikena Circle
Honolulu, Hawaii 96821
(808)377-3087 phone
(808) 422-1920
email: cgoldblatt@assets-school.net

Involved in the Pet Therapy Program at Tripler Army Medical Center and Hospital, in conjunction with the American Red Cross. Certified Therapy dog, Beau Aikane, a 6-year-old golden retriever and a Certified Therapy Rabbit, Matzah, a Netherland Dwarf bunny.

ILLINOIS

NEDSRA Therapy Dog Team
1770 W. Centennial Place
Addison, IL 60101
(630)630-4500 Office
(630)620-4598 Fax
(630)620-7477 TTY
email: nedsra@mcleodusa.net

Our non-profit organization has a team of animals that do visitations to special education classrooms, nursing homes, group homes for people with disabilities and alternative schools; We also participate in special events such as Special Olympic Track meet opening ceremonies parade, Halloween Dog Show and more. Teams must have current certification to join our volunteer group.

We are limited to serving the following villages and towns; Lombard, Addison, Itasca, Wood Dale, Bensenville, Villa Park, Oakbrook Terrace, York Center, Glendale Heights, Butterfield and Medinah, Illinois.

Chenny Troupe
1504 N. Wells
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 280-0266 (phone)
(312) 280-0173 (fax)
Contact:Janet Eaton, Executive Director
e-mail: chennytroupe@worldnet.att.net

Chenny Troupe brings certified therapy dogs to a wide variety of health care facilities to help people with physical and emotional rehabilitation.

Rainbow Animal-Assisted Therapy
P.O. Box 531
Northbrook IL 60065-0531
(773) 283-1129
Nancy Lind, President

Rainbow AAT is a not-for-profit volunteer group that has developed Animal-Assisted Therapy programs for emotionally, mentally, and/or physically disabled children in the Chicago area. The specially-trained and registered Therapy Dogs provide the motivation and the facilitation.

People, Animals, Nature, Inc (PAN)
Attention: Debbie Coultis 1820 Princeton Circle
Naperville IL 60565
(630) 369-8328
Contact Person: Debbie Coultis, President and CEO email coultis@attglobal.net

PAN's mission is also to disseminate information about the vital linkages between healthy human growth, development and education and contact with animals and natural environments. PAN pursues this end through publication of a newsletter, meetings and workshops, courses in classroom and distributed format, and publications. Courses are University affiliated.

SIT STAY READ!
MaryEllen Schneider
4900 N Francisco
Chicago IL 60625
773 936 6054
mschneider@sitstayread.org

The SIT STAY READ! mission is to improve literacy skills and foster a
love of animals by partnering reading assistance dogs with children in
the Chicago area.

Unconditional Love, Inc.
742 Elm
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 858-8809
Jacqui DiMarco, Executive Director
Ann Canulli, President

Encouraging Word Animal-Assisted Therapy
Mary Jacobs, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Certified School Psychologist
Animal-Assisted Therapy Programs
e-mail to u45301@uicvm.uic.edu

Encouraging Word offers Animal-Assisted Therapy for many different populations including autistic individuals, pre-and-post-surgical patients, differently-abled children and adults, Alzheimer's patients, hospice patients, and emotionally-abused children. Pre-and-post-surgical play therapy is also offered for children.

KANSAS

Human Animal Bond Program
PO Box 3101
Ft. Leavenworth, KS 66027
(913) 684-6510
email director@FtLeavenworthHAB.org

We are a non-profit service organization staffed by volunteers and sponsored by the Ft. Leavenworth Veterinary Services. We provide animal assisted activities and promote human-animal bonding in the community through pet visits and educational activities. We have a regular visiting schedule at more than a dozen hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers and schools in the Leavenworth county area.

KENTUCKY

W.A.G.S. Pet Therapy of Kentucky, Inc.
P. O. Box 91436
Louisville, KY 40291-1436
(502) 562-WAGS

LOUISIANA

Visiting Pet Program
5831 S. Johnson Street
New Orleans, LA 70125
504-866-2532- Joyce Kleinfeldt, Program Coordinator
e-mail: paws4visits@netscape.net

Since 1987, the 130 pet/handler teams of the VPP have been visiting over 30 nursing homes and hospitals in the greater New Orleans area. In July, 2000 we created the "Reading To Rover" project designed to improve the reading aloud skills of K-3rd graders. Our motto is Bringing love and leaving smiles. Our mission: Through the unconditional love of the animals, The Visiting Pet Program strives to enhance the quality of life of all we meet.

MARYLAND

Pets On Wheels
Carroll County Area
PO Box 873
Finksburg, MD 21048

Pets on Wheels, Balto. Region
5 Sherwood Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030
E-mail: baltopow@bcpl.net
Phone 410 628-1700
Fax: 410 628-1702
Coordinator: Gail H. Ogin

Pets on Wheels, Inc.
20606 Green Road
White Hall, MD 21161
E-mail: baltopow@bcpl.net
Phone: 410 343-2102
Fax: 410-343-2104
State Director: Barbara Sterner

Pets on Wheels of Prince George's County
6500 Riggs Road
Hyattsville, MD 20783
(301) 853-3330
Elaine Goad, Program Coordinator

Pets on Wheels Charles & St Mary's County
Director: Michael Capps
Telephone: (301) 392-0155
E-Mail: CCPetsOnWheels@aol.com

Fidos For Freedom, Inc.
P.O. Box 5508
Laurel, MD 20726

Fidos For Freedom is a nonprofit all-volunteer assistance dog training organization. Our therapy dog volunteers and their own dogs attend special classes where they are trained to participate in pet therapy programs as hospitals and nursing homes in the Laurel, MD area.

MASSACHUSETTS

Pets and People Foundation
11 Apple Crest Road
Weston, MA 02493
Phone (781) 899-5029

Caring Canines
Boston, Massachusetts area pet therapy program
Email: Info@caringcanines.org
Telephone: (781) 729-8285

Our main program provides group visits to assisted-living facilities, adult day care centers, nursing homes and hospitals. Though our pediatric HugAPet program, we serve special needs classes in schools and provide visits to children in psychiatric hospitals.

Dog B.O.N.E.S. - Dogs Building Opportunities for Nurturing and Emotional Support
A Massachsetts Network of Therapy Dog Volunteers
17 Bradshaw Street
Medford, Massachusetts 02155
(781) 391-5615
contact person: Jeanne Brouillette
email:jbrouillette@comteam.org

We are a Massachusetts network of therapy dog volunteers and agencies seeking visits. We provide on-line registration and matching of volunteers to agencies requests, as well as links to national and local organizations training and testing dogs for certification. Our goal is simple: to bring a little fun into someone's day as they recuperate, rehabilitate or simple live life.

MICHIGAN

AnimaLink
Suzanne La Croix
73 Mier Road
Sanford, MI 48657
(989) 687-5185
Email to info@animalink.com

Provides assistance to volunteers, health care professionals and facilities interested in creating beneficial human-animal interactions. Sponsors animal evaluations, workshops, and classes.

The Fur Angels
15230 Allen Rd.
Taylor, MI 48180
(734) 285-4085
Martha Hall, Founder/ Director
email: hallshalfacre@aol.com

The Fur Angels is a volunteer, therapy dog organization in S.E. Michigan. Formed in the fall of 1998 with only a handful of members, now has over 30 active members. Visits numerous facilities monthly at regularly scheduled times; days, evening and weekends. Our high standards require all dogs be temperament tested, have full, up to date medical records, and successfully complete therapy dog testing with a known registration organization. We also offer regular testing dates for therapy dog testing and CGC. With the support of this group you can go far and do more with your 'therapy' time.

MINNESOTA

Bark Avenue on Parade,Inc.
P.O. Box 62112
Mpls., MN 55426
E-mail info@barkavenue.org

Pals on Paws
Elk River, Minnesota
(763) 497-5809; Pat Kinch

Pals On Paws of Minnesota meets in Coon Rapids, and visits in the surrounding communities. The group has been a chapter of Therapy Dogs International since 1997.

Caring Critters of MN, Inc.
2254 Lilac Lane
White Bear Lake, MN 55110-3871
email: couhl@msn.com
Carol Ouhl, Executive Director
651-762-1581.

We are a not-for-profit C-3 organ. that specializes in AAT in the true sense of the word, therapy. We work with therapists that set goals and document the results of the visits we do with their clients. We also have a strong emphasis on education of other professionals that are interested in learning how to incorporate AAT into their work.

Twin Cities Tail-Waggers visiting Dog Group
Twin Cities Obedience Training Club
2101 Broadway, NE
Minneapolis, MN
Contact: Carol Ouhl
mailto: couhl@msn.com
651-762-1581

Puppy Love Therapy Dogs, Inc.
57240 Juniper Rd
Good Thunder MN 56037
507-278-3488
email to valtech@mctcnet.net

Puppy Love Therapy Dogs, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization that provides therapy dog visits to the Mankato and south central Minnesota area. We visit hospitals, nursing homes, group homes, libraries, schools, clubs, etc. We provide AAA visits and pet safety education for elementary grade students. Our dogs are registered through either Therapy Dogs Inc. or Therapy Dogs International. We make 6-8 visits per month.

MISSISSIPPI

Pets and People: Companions in Therapy and Service
P.O. Box 4266
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 483-8970
e-mail to:petsandpeople@geocities.com

The mission of Pets and People: Companions in Therapy & Service is to provide comprehensive animal-assisted activities. These services include, but are not limited to, animal-assisted visitation and therapy, consumer-based service dog training, programs for shut-in clients, foster care for animals whose persons are in crisis, and food distribution programs. http://petsandpeople.astraweb.com/index1.htm

MISSOURI

Support Dogs, Inc.
3958 Union Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63125
(314) 892-2554
contact person: Chris Curtis or
e-mail Mary D: Luvtrooper@aol.com

SDI is a United Way nonprofit agency based in St. Louis. There are three divisions; Service, which raise, train and place service dogs, the therapeutic that responds to the strong demand from the medical community for a professional canine therapy program, and education which teach school children respect for each other and animals through the Advocacy By Canines program. If you are interested in being involved in Support Dogs, Inc. please contact us.

NEBRASKA

Paws For Friendship, Inc. P.O. Box 12243
Omaha , Ne 68152
402 573-5826
Jan Schmidt, President
E-Mail: paws4fsp@radiks.net

We are a non profit volunteer group that visits nursing homes and hospitals with our pets. We are also very involved with school programs, hospice work ,and visit all types of care centers. In Oct of 1997 we will celebrate our 4 th birthday !! There are many chapters around the country with many caring people and their pets. We continually open new chapters and are growing around the world !

Lincoln Pet Partners Inc.
1724 Trelawney Dr.
Lincoln, NE 68512-1828
(402) 423-3596
S.J. Byorth
e-mailo to:lincolnpetpartners@Yahoo.com

We are a group of volunteers in Lincoln, Nebraska who visit various hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities with our pets. We are all members of the Delta Society Pet Partners program. We have a Delta certified evaluator and instructor. A class is offered each quarter through Lincoln's branch of the Southeast Community College followed by testing of the animal/handler teams.

Midlands Pet Therapy
5111 Grant Street
Omaha NE 68104-4354
(402) 561-0550
email info@midlandspettherapy.com

Good Samaritan Health Systems - Animal Assisted Programs
Heather Hascall MA,CTRS
Manager - Therapeutic Recreation @ Richard H Young Hospital & Animal Assisted Program Coordinator
1755 Priarie View Place
Kearney, Ne 68845
(308) 865-2258
email to heatherhascall@chi-midwest.org

GSHS has had active Therapy animals involved in providing services for over 10 years. We presently have over 30 certified Therapy Animal Teams involved in providing services not only to the facilities of GSHS, but the local Family Advocacy Network, area schools, day cares, nursing homes, retirement facilities, Hospice treatment programs and annual events such as a Children Bereavement Camp. We have a wide range of individuals that work to provide wonderful comprehensive services. Our Team handlers range from community volunteers, an area veterinary clinic staff group, to professional therapists and social workers that utilize their animal in the provision of treatment goal work for their patients. All teams must hold certification in a recognized organization to be able to work as part of our group. The Therapeutic Recreation department of RYH/GSHS presently provides the processes of selection, education, training, and certification of animals utilizing Therapy Dogs, Inc. and Delta Society. Our primary population of therapy animals at this time is dogs. However, we have one cat in our program and three others in the process of certification. We also recently have acquired interest and a market need for three horses to be added to our program - they also are in their process of certification.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Caring Animal Partners
PO Box 1304
New London, NH 03257
email nhcap@tds.net

NEW JERSEY

TheraPet, Inc.
P.O. Box 787
Clark, NJ 07066
Telephone (732) 340-0PET (0728)
e-mail to pettherapynj@aol.com

TheraPet, Inc. was founded in 1988 as a non-profit organization of volunteers and their pets who visit nursing homes and hospitals throughout New Jersey to perform animal-assisted therapy. Our membership application is on our website or we will mail you one if you leave a message at our phone. If your pet is tolerant of noise and distractions, enjoys being petted, is under your control, and is healthy and up to date on its shots, you are probably the owner of a TheraPet. Formal obedience training is not required. All American Mixed dogs are welcome. We do a gentle temperament testing three times a year and provide a Building Coordinator to oversee orientation of new members in each facility. Most of our members visit with dogs; we also welcome cats. Our members have even visited with rabbits, hermit crabs, guinea pigs, etc. We are currently serving in facilities in 11 of New Jersey's 21 counties.

NEW MEXICO

Los Alamos Caring CanineCompanions
1441 11th Street
Los Alamos, NM 87544
(505) 661-9619
Contact Lynn Wysocki-Smith: tewapack@rt66.com

NEW YORK

Pet Assisted Therapy Facilitation Certificate Program
State University of New York
(401) 463-5809

The Good Dog Foundation
607 6th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 788-2988
e-mail: information@thegooddogfoundation.org

With a focus on health and healing, we work with hospitals, other health care facilities, and community organizations. We evaluate, train, certify, and provide on-going support for dog/owner therapy teams. In different health care facilities we serve a variety of patient populations in several units- from geriatric, adult medical and psychiatric, to pediatrics, physical rehabilitation and terminal patients in hospice. At The Good Dog Foundation, we work to match volunteer interests and the dog's personality with the population best suited to their strengths.

The Good Dog Foundation is also involved in more formal research studies to document both the benefits of animal assisted therapy and to illustrate that bringing well-trained and screened dogs into hospitals does not raise infection rates or endanger the population in any way.

H.A.R.T. Programs, Inc.
50 Lillian Road
Mahopac, NY 10541
212-875-7618
Diane Pennington

We are an all-volunteer organization visiting those who are developmentally disabled, in pediatric acute care facilities and in senior residences. We are also working on developing programs for those in locked psychiatric facilities and those who are in hospices related to HIV/AIDS and cancer. We primarily serve Putnam and Westchester counties in New York, about an hour north of Manhattan. Our "staff" includes a clinical social worker, a seasoned AAT facilitator and trainer and myself - administrator with a degree in Psychology for "special populations". While we are very serious about the work we do, we have fun, talented and awesome volunteers who work with and without their dogs (other species to be introduced in 2000) from all professions. We are always looking for dedicated, playful, animal-loving people who would like to train for dedicated, playful, animal-loving people who would like to train for certification and join our ranks.

OHIO

Prescription: Dog Love
Mentor Contact: Bonnie Dillon, President Akron City Hospital,
Box 2090, Akron, Ohio 44309.

e-mail to bfink@en.com
Akron, Ohio

Prescription: DOG LOVE, INC is a not for profit program providing Animal Assisted Activity/Therapy in Akron area hospitals and health care facilities. Prescription: DOG LOVE provides implementation of AAA/AAT programs in hospitals and other health care facilities and is comprised of 30 animal handler teams, In its membership are seven Licensed Delta Society team evaluators, five Licensed Delta Society Instructors, four Licensed Advanced Level Team Evaluators, two Licensed Delta Society Site Assessors, and it is home to "MURPHY", Delta's 1998 Therapy Dog of the Year! Mentor-contact - Bonnie Dillon, President

OKLAHOMA

Petworks In Progress Foundation
PO Box 6282
Norman, OK 73070-6282
(405) 364-1525
e-mail to: Petworks@DogPrograms.com
Kris Butler, President, Petworks in Progress Foundation

Petworks In Progress Foundation's mission is to provide people in Oklahoma with opportunities to interact with skilled therapy-dog teams in settings that promote healing, rehabilitation, learning, or an improved quality of life. Petworks In Progress Foundation's activities include:
* referring appropriate teams to health care facilities and schools
* workshops for volunteer training
* support groups for volunteers
* evaluating and testing volunteers for national certifications
* educational programs focusing on responsible pet ownership issues

Karing K-9s
15935 S. 4240 Road
Claremore OK 74017
(918)342-5343
email: KaringK9s@msn.com

We have over 50 members at this time and are visiting over 20 facilities per month. We visit hospitals, nursing homes and rehab centers.

OREGON

Welcome Waggers Therapy Dogs
22830 Alsea Hwy
Philomath, OR 97370
(541) 929-5064
Carol Challis Coordinator, T/O
e-mail to malpals@peak.org

Welcome Waggers Therapy Dogs, organized in 1992, is a non profit group of volunteers and their owner-handled dogs that visits nursing homes, including Alzheimer patients, senior citizen retirement centers, the mental health unit of a hospital, and Hospice patients in Benton and Linn Counties, Oregon. The group includes five TDINC tester/Observers for the purpose of qualifying dogs and their handlers for therapy dog work.

PENNSYLVANIA

Lehigh Valley K-9 Therapy Association
Chapter 100 of Therapy Dogs International, Inc.
P.O. Box 208
Nazareth, PA 18064
(610) 759-2141
Patti Merlo, Director email to: LVK9Thrpy@aol.com

Lehigh Valley K-9 Therapy Association was founded in February 1995. We visit nursing homes, assisted living facilities and specialized centers to provide emotional therapy and bring a smile to those we meet. All visits are done on a volunteer basis and can be arranged as part of a group scheduled visit or on an individual basis. Lehigh Valley K-9 Therapy also attends local community events to heighten the community's awareness about therapy dogs' existence and what an important role they have at the facilities they visit. If you enjoy making people smile, if your dog is friendly, outgoing and can pass the AKC's Canine Good Citizen Test and Therapy Dogs International temperament test, we need you and your dog too! Contact us to take your dog...for more than just a walk!

K's K-9 Therapy Dog Group
4 Sycamore Circle
Lititz, PA 17543-8744
717 627-3586
Contact: Kay Melchi
email:esetter@ptd.net

Bi-weekly visits with dogs to 4 area nursing homes in the Lititz, Lancaster County area of Pennsylvania. Kay Melchi is a tester/observer for Therapy Dogs Incorporated.

Lebanon County Kennel Club
Sally Henry (contact person)
717-273-8612

Weekly visits with dogs to nursing homes and VA hospital in the Lebanon County, Pennsylvania area. Alternate between afternoon and evening visits. Sally Henry is a tester/observer for Therapy Dogs Incorporated.

Comfort Caring Canines Therapy Dogs, Inc.
8135 Lare St. Philadelphia PA 19128
(800) 331-4199
Bob Turino, President
email: ccc@comfortcaringcanines.org

Comfort Caring Canines is a dedicated group of volunteers who share the love of their trained and tested therapy dogs with others. Handler/dog teams must pass our two-part temperament and obedience test. Then our members decide when and where they want to visit, alone or with a group. We cover Southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

Pals For Life
939 Radnor Road
Wayne, PA 19087
(610)687-1101
Contact: Jen Peirson-Winterle
email: palsforlife@juno.com

Pals For Life volunteers do pet therapy visits to nursing homes, mental health facilities and rehab centers throughout the Philadelphia region. We also do education programs at schools and daycare centers in the area. All pets are temperament tested before doing any of our programs.

Pleasure of Your Company Therapy Dogs
P.O. Box 3082
Allentown, PA 18106-0082
Contacts:
Barbara Ellis, 610-682-7784, bwe@fast.net
Tina Schondorfer, 610-437-5972, justtas@yahoo.com

Pleasure of Your Company Therapy Dogs, Inc. (PoYC), a Pennsylvania Domestic Nonprofit Corporation, is a relatively small therapy dog group with fewer than 20 members at the present time. It was formed in 1999 when members of a larger, multi-state therapy dog organization decided that they needed more control of their rules and procedures. Founding members also wanted to form an organization that is more responsive to the needs of the Lehigh Valley and surrounding area. Member-handler/dog teams make regularly scheduled an organization that is more responsive to the needs of the Lehigh Valley and surrounding area. Member-handler/dog teams make regularly scheduled visits to a variety of nursing homes and hospitals, especially in the greater Allentown and Bethlehem area. PoYC provides insurance for all authorized member-handler/dog teams during their therapy dog activities, and will assist members in setting up visits to the facilities of their choice.

HAPPY TAILS THERAPY DOGS
Pat Shaeffer TDI-T/O
126 Skylite Drive
Hanover, PA 17331-9660
717-637-6013
email minitvw@earthlink.net

Happy Tails is a newly formed club that covers York & Adams Counties in PA and Carroll County in Maryland. We visit nursing homes and schools and rehab centers as well as special requests to private homes. We are affliated with Therapy Dogs, Inc. and have 2 tester/observors to help you register your dog to turn tears into smiles.

K-9 Partners: Therapy Dog, Support Dog & Service Dog Training
505 Timber Lane
Jefferson Hills, PA 15025
(412) 384-2677
Contact Person: Lynn D. Hoover, LICSW
E-Mail: jlrhoover@attbi.com

K-9 Partners is a professional organization dedicated to providing training/education, certification and support for Therapy, Support & Service Dog Teams. We also help with the assessment and/or selection of dogs destined to serve. We facilitate referrals of Therapy Dog Teams to a variety of area facilities for visitations - nursing homes, mental health facilities, rehab. and other care centers. Our motto is: "To Serve with Love is Perfect Freedom".

SOUTH CAROLINA

SCDogs Therapy Group, Inc
Clemson, SC
(864) 710-4412
email: info@SCDogs.org

A not-for-profit organization founded to provide para-professional and professional animal assisted activity and therapy services. SCDogs teams are specially trained to provide animal assisted activities to nursing homes, children's shelters, hospitals and other facilities. SCDogs teams are also eligible to assist in our very special animal assisted therapy programs. In conjunction with professional counselors we offer professional animal assisted therapy services. To create a well rounded group offering safe and effective visits/therapy, SCDogs teams supervisors include a professional dog trainer, a community agency counselor, and experienced volunteers. SCDogs also promotes and assists in the training and placement of rescued animals from shelters and rescue groups into AAA/AAT work. Save a life, spread some kindness!

TENNESSEE

Therapy ARC (Animals Reaching Clients)
128 East Lake Court
Franklin, TN 37067
Phone: (615) 519-0719
Contact: Dee Mathues
e-mail: or information @ therapyarc.org.
E-mail: coolrun @ prodigy.net or information @ therapyarc.org

Tender Paws
Pet Therapy of Clarksville, TN
Canine Hearts for the Community
Lori Finney, President
142 Kingswood Dr.
Clarksville, TN 37043
(931) 905-2648 (Finney & Associates business number)
Email to lfinney@tenderpaws.org

Tender Paws is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to the education and training of the handler/dog therapy teams in order to perform philanthropic work in the community. This is done through professional training in obedience and visitation procedures set in a medical environment that includes the setting for proper and necessary socialization of the dogs and handlers.

SMILE Program of Happy Tales Humane
231 Franklin Road
Suite 1303
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 791-0827 ext. 11
Dee Mathues, Administrator

The SMILE program is a Delta Society Affiliate, offering AAA/T training and certification three times a year. SMILE volunteers have the opportunity to visit over 25 facilities in the middle TN area, participate in READ--a literacy program for at-risk youth, present humane education programs, attend quarterly meetings, and promote the human-animal bond.

TEXAS

Therapy Pet Pals of Texas
3930 Bee Caves Road, Suite 6-B
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 347-1984

Therapy Pet Pals of Texas (TPPT) is a private non-profit, charitable 501(c)(3) volunteer organization that shares the love of pets with individuals in health care facilities/institutions who are deprived of the very special love that animals can give.

Paws for Caring
P.O. Box 572230
Houston, TX 77257-2230
Facilities Volunteer Coordinator: Melinda Ashman
e-mail to Pawsforcaring@juno.com
(713) 667-8114

Paws for Caring visits about 30 facilities and has around 200 members. We are involved with animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activities. We visit a variety of places from nursing homes, adult day care centers, schools with disabled children, rehabs., Shriner's Hospital for Children, other hospitals downtown just to name a few. We have facilities on our waiting list and not enough volunteers.

Faithful Paws - Pet Therapy Program
Sponsored by: Bellaire United Methodist Church
4417 Bellaire Boulevard
Bellaire, TX
77401
(713) 666-2167
Connie Richards organized and maintains the Therapy Group.
e-mail: vwillard61@aol.com

A team of organized volunteers involving the incorporation of trained animals specifically certified to administer therapy to adults/children in nursing homes or hospitals we visit. Animal assisted therapy is a scientifically proven form of therapy that is recognized as therapeutic and recreational.

Therapy Tails on Wheels(c)1995
AAA-AAT
Box 535
Kempner, Texas 76539
Contact: Evelyn Colbath
e-mail:petmydog@vvm.com

Therapet
P.O. Box 1696
Whitehouse, Texas 75791
Shari Bernard OTR
Therapet@Juno.com

Therapet is dedicated to the advancement of AAT/AAA. Through publications, seminars, and professionally developed videos, we assist volunteers and health care professionals in developing and managing programs. Shari Bernard OTR is a leader in the field, and the executive director of Therapet. She uses specially trained and certified animals as tools in the treatment of patients. Her program provides animals that are used daily in a rehabilitation hospital. In addition, she has developed a program that provides animals in an acute care hospital for use in the pediatric, geriatric, oncology unit, and the open heart recovery unit, and both ICU and CCU. Lastly, she developed and currently runs a program for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice where her volunteers and animals work with psychiatric inmates as part of Occupational Therapy. Shari has authored "Animal Assisted Therapy: A Guide for Health Care Professionals and Volunteers". She has also provided 17 national two-day seminars on this topic with 4 more planned this year.

K-9 FRIENDS Visiting Therapy Dogs of GTDOG (DenTex Golden Triangle Dog Obedience Group)
1931 Pin Oak Dr
Judeen Stauffer, coordinator
Flower Mound, TX 75028-1289
e-mail to hohenstauffen@peoplepc.com
Parent club GTDOG
1-800-730-4925
POB 2334
Denton, TX 76202

K-9 FRIENDS is a group of members and students of GTDOG. All our dogs are very gentle and are trained in obedience. Many are trained in other areas such as agility, herding and hunting. We visit nursing homes, assisted living centers, physically handicapped children at N. Lakes Rec Cent, the State School in Denton, Special Education classes in Lewisville ISD. Our visits are almost all in Denton county, a few in Dallas county

Hope Therapy at Moody Gardens
One Hope Blvd.
Galveston, TX 77554
(800)582-4673, ext. 4317
Contact: Tammy Renaud, AAA/T Coordinator
Email: Texasbeeni@aol.com or TammyRenaud@hotmail.com

Hope Therapy at Moody Gardens is a nonprofit, interactive therapy center providing Therapeutic Riding, Animal Assisted Activities/Therapy, Horticulture Therapy and Supportive Employment to persons with disabilities. Hope Therapy believes introduces animals and nature into the recovery and rehabilitation process. Hope Therapy is affiliated with NARHA and Delta Society's Pet Partners program. The Animal Assisted Therapy program utilizes dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and ferrets to visit area University of Texas Medical Branch, Columbia Mainland Hospital, Transitional Learning Community, Sunshine Supportive Employment, Ronald Mc Donald House, and Shriners Burns Hospital for children.

Texas Therapy & Companion Pets
6665 Center Hwy
Nacogdoches, TX 75961
Jean Witt, Director
(936) 560-4213
email jeanthedoglady@yahoo.com

Texas Therapy & Companion Pets, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides training and certification for people and their pets for visitations in a variety of area facilities in the East Texas area. We visit nursing homes, Alzheimer's groups, rehabilitation facilities and day care (both adult and children). We are looking for individuals who have an interest in joining us for a great year of fun and service. We provide trained, Certified dogs for those who would like to join us but do not have an animal or do not have one suitable or ready for visits. We work with students from SFA and area schools, who pair up with a dog from TTCP that is ready to go to work. Our goal for 2002 is to expand the area we serve to include surrounding counties so we need lots of new people. Our Organization will be having a Certification on Jan.26,2002 in Nacogdoches, Texas. If you need more information or have an interest in joining us, please write me, jeanthdoglady@yahoo.com or call 936-560-4213.

Faithful Friends Animal Assisted Therapy Ministry
207 Briarwood Court
League City, TX 77573
Information Phone: 281-286-4769

We are located in the Houston Bay Area about half way between Houston, TX and Galveston, TX. This is a Christian ministry that shows the love of Jesus to those we visit as our pets give them unconditional love. Members are not required to be associated with any particular church, to pray, or do anything else they might be uncomfortable with during the visits. But Christian values are upheld within the organization of our group and during our visits. We also feel it is very important to pray for and encourage all of our members. We believe the most important reason for our rapid growth and success of our ministry is because it is covered in prayer, both before the visits begin and during an special prayer group meeting.

Our membership of around 150 human volunteers choose from 16 visits each month. We visit assisted living and nursing homes, hospitals, and have 4 visits to a children's home. We are also invited to share information about animal-assisted therapy at churches, businesses, club meetings, parades, company health fairs, etc. Requirements for membership are to attend a Saturday Workshop (humans), provide annual vaccinations and pass a temperament test (pets), and to go on one visit without a pet before regular visits begin. We would love to welcome you to our ministry, as we need additional volunteers to begin visits at those facilities on our waiting list. Once you try animal-assisted therapy you will find that you get much more from it than you give. You will be blessed.

Aggieland Pets With A Purpose
2005 Woodville Road
Bryan, TX 77803
Shelly Bergeron - President
email to information@apwap.org

Aggieland Pets With A Purpose is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to enriching the lives of Brazos Valley area residents by enhancing their physical, social and emotional well-being with the unconditional love of our pets. APWAP provides volunteers and evaluated and trained animals for educational, rehabilitative, and emotional assistance purposes.

UTAH

InterMountain Therapy Animals
4835 So. Highland Drive #2125
Salt Lake City, UT 84117
or
PO Box 17201
Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Phone 801-272-3439
Toll-free everywhere outside SLC area: 877-485-1121
Fax 801-272-3470
email to: info@therapyanimals.org

Intermountain Therapy Animals was founded in 1993 and today has more than 200 Pet Partner teams serving more than 70 hospitals, care centers, residential treatment units, schools, libraries, hospice and youth detention facilities. We offer the Delta Society Pet Partners Team Training Course and Team Evaluations at least six times annually. We hold monthly meetings on educational and training topics interesting to our members to further their knowledge of animal-assisted therapy. We support and mentor our teams in finding sites that suit both them and their therapy companions; and we make over 100 presentations each year to area schools, organizations and professional groups. We also actively collaborate with other animal organizations in our area, because we believe that bringing our species together in therapeutic settings not only helps humans, it also increases their understanding of and appreciation for animals and their value--thus, ultimately benefiting the animals and their status in society as well. We were named Utah's Animal Organization of the Year in 1999.

Utah Animal-Assisted Therapy Association
P.O. Box 18771
Salt Lake City, UT 84118-8771
Betty Brown, Executive Director
(801) 963-7696
e-mail to:info@uaata.org

UAATA is a non-profit organization based in Salt Lake City dedicated to bringing comfort, love and hope to those in need through the miracle of the human-animal bond. UAATA was formed expressly to fill the need for innovative, ground-breaking, professionally oriented programs that are beyond the scope of other animal-assisted therapy programs in the state. Through our Comforting friends program, we train and sponsor Pet Partner teams certified by the national Delta Society. In the near future, we plan to establish a therapeutic farm called "Aesop's Stables" to offer respite from world cares for any and all who can benefit from the health-giving advantages that come from close interaction with animals in a rural, farm-like setting. We are proud to be an independent Affiliate Member of the Delta Society.

VERMONT

Therapy Dogs of Vermont
7 Forest Road
Essex Jct., VT 05452
Contact: Steve Reiman
(802)879-7320
E-mail: steve@therapydogs.org

Therapy Dogs of Vermont is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization of highly-trained dogs and their handlers. Our handler/canine teams work on the emotional health of patients in hospitals and residents of nursing and retirement homes.

Our dogs walk the floors of many of the hospitals in Vermont as well as countless nursing and retirement homes. Our activities have often been documented in the media and our dog's faces are often the best known in a hospital. Our accomplishments are so appreciated that TDV members are thought of as privileged members of the medical team.

VIRGINIA

Spiritkeepers
Post Office Box 498
King George VA 22485
(540) 775-5963
Contact: Sue Peetoom
e-mail: samwist@crosslink.net

Spiritkeepers was chartered in 1996 as a chapter of Therapy Dogs International, Inc. Members are residents of seven different jurisdictions in the Fredericksburg, VA region. With over 50 handler/dog teams, with a wide variety of breeds and sizes of canine participants, from the Yorkie to the Great Pyrenees, Spiritkeepers visit more than 23 nursing homes, schools, homeless shelters, hospitals, and other facilities where therapy dogs are needed. Spiritkeepers have been invited to participate in health fairs and community parades. Canine Good Citizen classes are conducted, and two members are TDI evaluators who certify new therapy dog teams. Spiritkeepers members were also present on a daily basis for the entire period the Pentagon Family Assistance Center was in operation, comforting and consoling families of the victims of September 11, 2001.

Spiritkeepers
107 Shorewood Dr.
Colonial Beach VA 22443
(804) 224-9710
Contact: Nancy Fruzzetti-Moon

"Paws For Health" Pet Visitation Program
c/o Richmond SPCA
2519 Hermitage Road
Richmond, Virginia 23220
(804) 643-6785
Sarah Babcock, Director of Education and Training, Phone: (804) 643-6785 ext. 24
e-mail: sbabcock@richmondspca.org
Dr. Kevin Connelly, Medical Director

Paws for Health® is a non-profit pet visitation program supported by the Richmond SPCA. It has been created to help sick children cope with their hospitalization. Paws for Health is the only hospital based pet visitation program created by a physician in cooperation with veterinary, behavioral and child life specialists. Our unique and stringent guidelines (approved by physicians, nurses, infectious disease specialists, security and legal professionals) protect patients and volunteers from adverse events and communicable illnesses. We focus on animal assisted activities and pet visitation with children in acute and chronic care settings. Our community volunteers and their adult dogs visit hospitalized pediatric patients. The pets can entertain by doing tricks or simply provide the child with an opportunity to pet and interact with the animal. The visits occur in the general pediatric units, intensive care units, and the cancer outpatient clinics. Many sizes and breeds of dogs are used. At this point in time, we are currently based solely in the Richmond Virginia area. Visit our web site for more information!!

WASHINGTON

Stephanie Fleming (Chapter 2)
Pacific-North West Coordinator
509-249-0878
email:PYRGRL1@aol.com

WISCONSIN

Pets Helping People, Inc.
3200 S. Pinewood Creek Ct. #104
New Berlin, WI 53151
(262) 785-8948
Cynthia Scherrer, Executive Director
e-mail ragstu@juno.com

We are a not for profit organization, in which we prepare people to use their pets in visits to nursing homes, schools, half-way houses. We also certify animals in Canine Good Citizen, Feline Good Citizen and Therapy Dog International. At present we serve Southeastern Wisconsin, based in New Berlin, a city just west of Milwaukee.

AUSTRALIA

Velma's Pets As Therapy
PO Box 324, Killara, NSW 2071, Australia
Phone (02) 9418 4365
Fax - + 61 2 9418 4365
Contact Velma Violet Harris
e-mail velma@velmaspetsastherapy.com.au

Caring Canine Companions
Golden Retriever Club of South Australia Inc
Community Visitors Scheme
Volunteer Co-ordinator: Mrs Josephine Eatts
Post Office Box 704
Willunga, South Australia, 5172
(08) 8556 2592
FREECALL 1800 077 722
e-mail jeatts@chariot.net.au

Our group has been operating almost 10 years and volunteers and their dogs (all breeds) visit Residential Aged Care Nursing Homes and Hostels throughout the State of South Australia on a regular commitment basis, fortnightly or weekly (some daily). We have an assessment test for our dogs, and appropriate insurance for our volunteers. Training for dogs is available, and we offer support, training and lots of recognition for our volunteers.

CANADA

Pacific Animal Therapy Society

9412 Lauries Lane,
Sidney B.C. V8L 4L2.
Contact: Sadey Guy, Volunteer Co-Ordinator for P.A.T.S.
email to patspets@island.net
(250) 656-4283 (Voice)
(250) 656-4383 (Fax)

We are a local pet therapy group on Vancouver Island B.C. about 300 strong. We have been working for 11 years. Here in the south Island we visit 44 facilities, plus home visits when requested. The other groups visit 5 Facilities, smaller population in their area. We have no funding, strictly on donations. We are all Volunteers no paid staff. Volunteers with pets regularly visit all types of care facilities,homes hospitals institutions. P.A.T.S. participates in community events, parades, fairs, displays. Pet loss phone line with trained Volunteers offers emotional support. Speakers available to explain the benefits of human /animal relationships.

Therapy Dogs Inc. of St. John's NF
Angie West
31 Drovers Heights
Portugal Cove-St Philip's NF
A1M 3G6
(709) 895-2734
email doggy.west@thezone.net

St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs
500 Upper Wellington Street
Hamilton, Ontario
L9A 3P5
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program

The Pas & Area Humane Society Inc.
Box 4005, The Pas, Manitoba Canada R9A 1S5
R. Newton
(204) 623-1610
email: dnewton@mb.sympatico.ca

United Kingdom

Comfort cats

Hastings East Sussex UK
Tele-01424-718810
e-mail jayne.wood2@btopenworld.com

Comfort cats and Canine Concern are UK charities for therapy cats and dogs. We visit the sick, elderly, handicapped and those unable to keep a pet of there own anymore.